In the summer heat, the operation of air conditioners inside residential premises is a common occurrence, but for children, it can become a source of health problems. What rules must be observed in order for the cooling device to bring only benefits, read in our article.
Is air conditioning safe for small children? Experts say yes, under certain conditions, and some doctors even agree that it is safer to use an air conditioner than to leave a newborn in a hot, humid environment with no airflow. Since newborns do not yet have thermoregulation, high temperatures can cause overheating, dehydration, or sunburn.
Safe air conditioner for baby
Other experts claim that the cooler temperature indoors compared to outdoors promotes falling asleep faster and reduces the risk of developing a ventilated space helps the child sleep better and reduces the risk of respiratory arrest (SIDS). On the other hand, too low room temperature can cause hypothermia, as a result of which, a cold appears, accompanied by a cough, runny nose and sore throat. To protect your child, we’ve put together seven tips to help protect your little one from illness caused by cold air from the air conditioner.
1. Maintain room temperature between 23 and 27˚C. Changes in the temperature and humidity of the outdoor air directly affect the cooling of the air conditioner, and the room where the unit is installed can cool down to too low a temperature very quickly. The difference between the outside and inside temperature should not exceed 5-7°C.
2. Watch the time it takes for the room to cool down to the desired temperature and use the built-in timer to set up the system. In this way, you will reduce the likelihood of cooling to extra degrees.
3. Do not leave the child in close proximity to the air conditioner. Dress your baby lightly so that the clothes cover the legs and arms with one layer more than yours.
4. Remember that the air conditioner dries the air, as well as the mucous membranes of the child. Leave a container of water in the room to hydrate and monitor your baby’s fluid intake.
5. Do not jump abruptly from a chilled building directly to a hot street, children do not react well to sudden changes in temperature, so a cold manifests itself quickly. Before going outside, turn off the device for about 20 minutes so that the body adapts to the increase in temperature.
6. If you use the air conditioner in your car, don’t turn it on right away. First, ventilate the interior by opening all windows and doors, and only then, cool.
7. Regularly call a specialist to clean the filters, otherwise the air will not be clean enough, not to mention poor performance. In addition, polluted air can lead to an allergic reaction, for example, a child will start to cough, and you will decide that it is a cold and the proposed medicines will begin to work against your health.
A cold caught under the wind affects not only a child, but also an adult, especially an office worker. People who spend a lot of time in an air-conditioned environment become less tolerant of high summer temperatures, resulting in an inability to adapt.
The second problem is related to the inhaled air – mites and bacteria live in air conditioners, as well as dust particles. Fatigue, general malaise, headaches, otitis, conjunctivitis – all this is the result of improper use of the air conditioner, so remember the rules above and pass them on to your loved ones.